The Challenge
How might students and law schools prepare for future paradigm(s) of legal service delivery?
The traditional paradigms of legal services delivery have begun to shift in some states in the last decade, with a particular focus on a need to increase access to justice through reregulation of legal services. Nationally, some leaders are calling for a dramatic reimagining of how legal services are provided, while others are hesitant to change the status quo. Some states such as Arizona and Utah have already implemented changes to Rule 5.4, and other states have developed working groups, task forces, and legislation for additional changes in their jurisdictions.
Of course, the rules do not need to change for lawyers to innovate their practices, and large law firms are also piloting projects to provide scalable advice to a broader range of clients. In other words, new paradigms for legal services delivery are already here. It is imperative that law schools prepare future lawyers to understand the changing landscape. Through a day-long design thinking sprint, the 2022 Legal Design Derby will give law students in North Carolina an opportunity to reimagine how law schools can prepare them to practice anywhere their careers take them.
| Traditional Paradigm | Future Paradigm |
| One to One | One to Many |
| Retainer Fees + the Billable Hour | Fixed Fees + Limited Scope Representation |
| Evaluation of services based on satisfaction | Evaluation of services based on outcomes |
| Licensure of attorneys to practice law | Licensure of lawyers, paralegals, advocates, and other paraprofessionals to practice law |
| Self-regulation | Independent, non-profit regulation |
| Lawyer as primary Subject Matter Expert | Panel of Interdisciplinary Advisors |
The Legal Design Derby was held in-person on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at North Carolina Central University. The Derby was open to all North Carolina law school students.
This program was co-hosted by Duke Center on Law & Tech and North Carolina Central University Technology Law and Policy Center and is possible due to generous sponsorship from Lawyers Mutual Consulting + Services and LexisNexis.
Playbook
The Solutions Showcase
Final presentations of the developed ideas were reviewed at the Solutions Showcase at the end of the day, and monetary prizes awarded to the teams. Thanks to our guest judge, Herb Brown of LexisNexis (NCCU ’22).
Meet The Teams
Team 1
Michael Riedl (WFU Law), Carlo Ballesteros-Flores (WFU Law), Madhavi Nambiar (Duke Law), Jean Wilson-Stayton (Duke Law)
A multi-tiered legal system: that would effectively lower the burden to practice law and increase access to legal services by modifying the Unauthorized Practice of Law rules. We designed an educational structure where Paralegals and Legal Administrative Assistants could be given more responsibility and independence in the execution of simple legal services so that the costs for these services could be reduced and more legal services could be offered in areas where it is economically unfeasible for an attorney to practice.
Team 3
Andrew Xavier (Duke Law), Surya Korrapati (Duke Law), Cliff Gilman (Duke Law), Hunter Jung (Duke Law)
After Hours Legal Clinic & Night Court: Open after 5pm to process intake and basic legal questions. Addresses the problem of legal accessibility. The clinic would help provide legal services to people with packed schedules, while making more efficient use of practicing attorneys time, and giving law students in the clinic valuable experience with real world legal problems.
Team 4
Chuom Prak (Elon Law), Kirsten Tildon (Elon Law), Erika Service (Elon Law), Will Shafer (Elon Law)
New Legal Professional: To increase access to legal services to all at a lower and more affordable price point, but not unduly restrict current paralegal pathways. This two-pronged approach to law delivery reform includes a reform in the increased professionalization of paralegals and the creation of a new class of paraprofessionals in law analogous to a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner roles in medicine. New paraprofessionals would be required to operate under the guidance of a practicing lawyer or law firm. Paralegals can be increasingly certified and empowered to operate in certain restricted categories; we should establish a new professional tier between paralegal and lawyer.
Team 7
Cramer Lewis (WFU Law), Vanessa Okoyeh (WFU Law), Savannah Adams (WFU Law), Katie Riddle (NCCU Law)
Moderated Conversations To Build Empathy
Team 8
AJ Rupp (Campbell Law), Theresa DiCenzo (Campbell Law), David Stone (Campbell Law)
LegalPod brings the law to you. LegalPod leverages cutting-edge technology to increase access to justice all across North Carolina. Bringing technology and easy access to legal help to citizens all across the state decreases the burden on our court system and allows citizens to get the help when they need it. Additionally, by allowing attorneys to help via Video Call, it allows attorneys to sit at their desks and help, decreases travel time, and allows them to serve more pro bono clients in their free time.
Team 9
Tiffany Alston (NCCU Law), Zuri Ward (NCCU Law), Catoria Zanders (NCCU Law)
Avenue provides intake, customer service, and liaison/referral services for the personal and legal needs of those struggling to obtain assistance via Legal Aid or other available resources. Avenue offers more than a referral; we offer guidance driven by empathy and steer with compassionate expertise to achieve the best possible outcome for clients when most needed.